Ladle Cranes
- As it is usually the only crane in a steel mill that can perform ladle handling, the ladle crane’s reliability is of paramount importance.
- Safety is also a key issue, as the ladle crane is used to transport molten metal. Konecranes takes these safety and reliability issues very seriously.
- We design features of ladle cranes centered around redundancy of systems, ease of maintenance, and precise control.
- Advanced crane control features executed with modern automation technology help guide the operator in precise placement and safe transport of the load along its path.
- Konecranes’ goal is zero unplanned downtime of these critical cranes, and we partner with our customers to develop maintenance-friendly features.
Product range
Selection of components is pre-calculated. This helps to select the most economical solution for each case.
Product design
Ladle cranes are designed to be operated efficiently, uninterruptedly and safely in continuous use. The design conforms to the requirements of international standards.
Because of a higher risk level, special safety features are designed for cranes that transport molten metal. The main hoist mechanism includes four independent rope reevings, double service brakes on primary shafts, and backup brake acting on the rope drum. Rope equalizer beams are provided with a dampening unit to slow down equalizer beam tilting in case of wire rope failure. An upper emergency stop limit switch is also used in the main hoist. In addition to this overload protection, the ‘emergency stop’ system bypassed from PLC, derailment supports, main hoist overspeed supervision, and end limit switches are automatically standard features of the equipment.
All main machineries and certain critical functions have built-in operational redundancy to continue at least limited crane operation and help to avoid dangerous situations.
Advanced automation function options enable improving safety but also lead to better productivity. Such options are DynAPilot load sway control, AutOPilot End positioning, the AutOPilot protected areas system, and the PLC controlled hooking function.
All parts of the mechanical and electrical equipment are designed so that they are easily accessible from permanent service platforms for adjustment, lubrication, inspection, maintenance and repair. Emphasis is placed upon quick replacement of faulty or worn parts as opposed to repair.
Improved crane reliability and availability can be reached with extensive real-time measurement and diagnostics data. The most sophisticated version of the diagnostic tool (optional) provides clear reports for analyzing the use and productivity of the crane.
